trigger clam killer?

Capt_Cully · #1 12/21/2007, 02:03 PM

i've had a pink tail in my reef for about a year. I've seen signs of aggression on other fish and inverts. i.e. things have gone missing. He also picks at sps, mostly monti's which grow like weeds so no harm. He's been great to watch.

BUT since I've had him I've now lost 4 clams total. They have gradually disappeared. He is the only common denominator I can think of. My params have been stable, no big shifts. I'd hate to blame him unrightfully. I know angels will pick at clam mantles.

Anyone seen or heard of anything like this behavior with triggers?

dhoch · #2 12/21/2007, 02:29 PM

Yes... My blue throat trigger would occasionally nip at clam mantles. Never enough to kill one, but you could definitely see the bite marks.

Dave

H^2 Salt · #3 12/21/2007, 02:33 PM

Of course it is just the nature of the fish...triggers are very inquisitive fish that will nip at anything and if its something they find tasty like a clam for instance..well i think u know the rest.....lol

Capt_Cully · #4 12/21/2007, 03:19 PM

I don't know what else could be taking them out. I just checked my params again and no significant change. The last clam to die was the first one I added 2 years ago. I probably added it to my tank too soon, but I was impatient. Despite that it had done well. I added 3 more and they thrived as well. The trigger is the ONLY new fish I've added in well over a year. He's been in there about 9 months. I've lost all 4 clams now in the past 4 months. No other casualties minus the above mentioned inverts.

He's a smart fish because I see his nip marks on the corals, but he never touches anything while I'm around. And I stare at my tank for HOURS!

I'm starting to think he's smarter that my Labrador Retriever.